Minnesota Nice Oyakepelo, “They Say Minnesota Nice”

1995

The events depicted in this painting represent the violent confrontation that occurred between the Dakota people in southern Minnesota and the United States government. The Dakota Conflict trials that took place in 1862 preceded the largest mass execution in American history. The conflict was precipitated when the United States government defaulted on their treaty annuity payment to the Dakota, leaving them in a desperate situation. Dakota warriors attacked local settlers in retribution, but were finally overpowered by the United States military.Thirty-eight Dakota men were eventually hung, an event depicted in the upper right corner of the painting. The rest of the Dakota were forcibly removed to South Dakota where many continue to live on impoverished reservations. Although large numbers of Dakota people have since returned to Minnesota and reestablished themselves on several reservations here, the violence and disruption that occurred during this time left a devastating and lasting impact on the Dakota community.